I am so looking forward to seeing Plushenko at worlds. I have seen a lot of the great russian skaters including pairs and ice dancers over the years so it will be a wonderful chance for me to see him as he doesnt perform in Canada much. Yags on the other hand was much loved in Canada and performed here many times.

AlexRus, when will Russian Cup start? I'm curious to see the new programs of Russian ladies. Leonova, Sotnikova, Shelepen, Makarova.. Do you know when will we be able to watch them?

The question is, would the above named compete at Russian cup? They may have to be excused if they have Grand Prix events. But there should be soon (about in a month time) their test skates. The closed ones have already happened or are happening now, but the open ones should take place sometime in September?

Seson 2011/12.
Season is traditionally opened by Open Championship of Moscow (Junior, Novice), 4-7 Sept, Moscow. Results may affect on JGP events, substitutes may be main and vice versa.

Russian Cup - qualifying competition. All events Senior, Junior, Men, Ladies, Pairs, Ice Dance. Of the results of Senior Events is National (Seniors), on the results of Junior Events is National (Joniors). Also included in Nationals of results of GP and JGP this season and ISU championships of previous season.

All events are in different places at first for prepare skaters to roads, hotels, unknown ice palaces, i.e. conditions in internationals.

Best skaters, who have international events, at most take place in one event of Russian Cup, from III to V.
GP or JGP are treated as more important events, than Russian Cup. So skater may ignore Russian Cup to prepare better to GP or JGP, while is recommended that all best skaters have at least one Russian Cup event. So no Russian Cup events may be only if they really interfere with GP(JGP) Events and Final for skater. Or in other rare cases (injury, return of skater of Pluschenko's level - he took place in Nationals without any qualifying event, anybody who has several gold medals from Worlds and Euro may do so).

The best skaters we may first see at Senior B competitions.
For example, Polina Shelepen plans to be at Ice Star (Minsk) 07-09 Sept.

Seson 2011/12.
Season is traditionally opened by Open Championship of Moscow (Junior, Novice), 4-7 Sept, Moscow. Results may affect on JGP events, substitutes may be main and vice versa.

Russian Cup - qualifying gompetition. All events Senior, Junior, Men, Ladies, Pairs, Ice Dance. Of the results of Senior Events is National (Seniors), on the results of Junior Events is National (Joniors). Also included in Nationals of results of GP and JGP and ISU championships of previous season.

All events are in different places at first for prepare skaters to roads, hotels, unknown ice palaces, i.e. conditions in internationals.

Best skaters, who have international events, at most take place in one event of Russian Cup, from III to V.
GP or JGP are treated as more important events, than Russian Cup. So skater may ignore Russian Cup to prepare better to GP or JGP, while is recommended that all best skaters have at least one Russian Cup event. So no Russian Cup events may be only if they really interfere with GP(JGP) Events and Final for skater. Or in other rare cases (injury, return of skater of Pluschenko's level - he took place in Natioals without any qualifying event, anybody who has several gold medals from World and Euro may do so).

The best skaters we may be first see at Senior B competitions.
For example, Polina Shelepen plans to be at Ice Star (Minsk) 07-09 Sept.

Thank you so much!! I didn't notice Ice Star is so early in september. Just a week later we will see Shelepen's programs then. Hope we will find videos.

The question is, would the above named compete at Russian cup? They may have to be excused if they have Grand Prix events. But there should be soon (about in a month time) their test skates. The closed ones have already happened or are happening now, but the open ones should take place sometime in September?